2012 Fantasy Draft: 10 Players Who Could Sneak into Your First Round

Even though the regular season is done, are the rest of you, like me, already assessing some sleepers and busts?

Are you watching the playoffs studying breakouts for next year’s drafts? Are you sizing up how you might approach next year’s draft?

Well, you are not alone. While your fantasy football draft may be about eight months away, we all want to know how the draft may play out now.

Depending on the size and scoring system of your league, there will be a difference of opinion on the last few picks the first round. Naturally, studs like Arian Foster, Ray Rice, LeSean McCoy, Maurice Jones-Drew, Calvin Johnson, Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady and Drew Brees should all be unanimous first-round picks. After that it gets dicey.

In this slideshow I will analyze 10 payers who could slip into the first round and how you should approach them.

Jamaal Charles: Kansas City Chiefs

Tim Umphrey/Getty Images

While coming off a season-ending injury (torn ACL) is nothing to gloss over, at least Charles will have had a full year to recuperate.

Just recall the marvelous 2010 campaign Charles had (1,467 yards rushing and five touchdowns; 468 yards receiving and three touchdowns) and have faith that he can recover and get back to an elite level.

Darren McFadden: Oakland Raiders

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Nagging injuries curtailed yet another fine season McFadden was having in 2011. In seven games, McFadden rushed for 614 yards and four touchdowns, while recording 154 receiving yards and an additional score.

McFadden is an explosive back who can carry his team when healthy. McFadden is a fringe first-rounder and could provide great bang for your buck.